19Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Green Thumb Watering Can

19Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Green Thumb Watering Can

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I see lots of green thumb inspired objects but this articulated fat fleshy hand is one of the best. This kind of molded hard plastic stuff kills me. And the green paint hugs the thumb perfectly like one of those stretchy self-adhesive rubber bandages. Holds just enough water to take care of my matching plastic plants.

15Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – 70’s Pop Groups Trash Can

15Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – 70’s Pop Groups Trash Can

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Kitsch konnoisseurs live for artwork like this, especially when on a garbage can. Companies too cheap to pay for the real thing but desperate to cash in on trends with generic look-a-likes, in this case David Cassidy meets Andy Gibb with a splash of Davy Jones type guys with superwiiiide bellbottoms, Victorian shirts and Beatles meet John Kennedy hair helmets grown moppier for the 70’s, all pasted on top of psychedelic oil blobby color stripes that represented a totally different kind of music than these kind of guys sang. Add to that numbers printed on the can that make no sense – 68, 44, 99, what?! – as if the art director was trying to add some pop and didn’t know where else to go. All the more perfect to throw your garbage in!

14Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – “God Bless Our Camper” Plate

14Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – “God Bless Our Camper” Plate

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There’s nothing more I like to do on Sundays than take rides. I stock the car like it’s a motel, all amenities neatly arranged within arms reach, and tool through LA and vicinity photographing and making strategic pit stops at my favorite soul food restaurants. I’ve always dreamed of having a tricked out camper to make my rendezvous even more comfortable and have a selection of front mirror danglers, mud flaps and chasing lights license plate frames already purchased should the happy day ever arrive. In the meantime, I content myself with camper memorabilia, of which this quaint porcelain plate is requisite.

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12Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Priority Mail Envelope Hat

12Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Priority Mail Envelope Hat

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I love USPO Priority Mail envelopes because they’re made of that non rip, indestructible material that you could lose your teeth trying to open. So it only makes sense that this practical and functional envelope be used as fabric for a hat or any other garment for that matter. Made entirely of one envelope with a black mesh top it’s light, keeps the one side of my hair in check and looks sharp on top of it!  

I’m always a fan of things being used for purposes other than for which they were created.  It’s the ultimate recycling.

11Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Mexican Elvis On Velvet

11Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Mexican Elvis On Velvet

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Looking like he was baked by a south of the border blazing sun, this almost African American Elvis on velvet also has a semi-Oriental thing going on in one of his eyes. I never saw Elvis in a white shirt and denim jacket either so perhaps the artist’s concept was presenting the day worker King. It certainly is the equal opportunity Elvis of all Elvises on velvet. Green velvet no less to show off that gorgeous tone.

10Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Sammy Davis Jr. Real Dollar Bill

10Jun 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Sammy Davis Jr. Real Dollar Bill

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In 1978, I sat next to the Candy Man on his 30′ monogrammed Gucci couch. It was the first huge movie star’s home I’d ever been in and there we were eating ribs together, Sammy dabbing sauce off the locking G’s and my chin. He was wild about my song that had just come out, EWF’s “September”, but I was still penniless as my royalties were so delayed. Every time I look at this dollar bill I remember the thrill of the ribs/Gucci/ Sammy moment and how excited I was that life was looking up. 

This is a REAL mint one dollar bill, legal and negotiable tender, made via a process permitted by the Treasury Department since 1967. I would never spend it as it’s worth a zillion to me.

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